Sunday, September 19, 2010

In Jesus' Arms

I have the most amazing job in the whole world. I get the honor and privilege to witness one of God's greatest miracles every time I attend a birth. I have been to countless births with both strangers and best friends. I have attended multiple births for people and become involved in their lives far surpassing the birth of their baby. I can tell you every detail of every birth. None has affected me as profoundly as the one I attended Friday.
I feel I must share their story because God is so faithful in every detail that He puts into place. Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
I got a call Friday morning to come to the hospital to be with a client who had just given birth to their 3rd child, a baby girl. They discovered when they went in to have the baby that there was no heartbeat. They had been counseled during the pregnancy to have an abortion because of some minor physical deformities and a possible genetic abnormality. They stood strong, declaring to all the 'professionals' that God is the Author of Life. They continued to make plans to welcome a baby girl into their home with 2 little boys. Even through it all they still know that God is in control and He knows what is best. They said that they could use this experience and become bitter or they could use it to Glorify God and they were going to choose daily to use it for His Glory.
When I arrived at the hospital I hugged and cried with the grandparents in the waiting room, then went back to be with the couple. I was scared. I did not want to say or do the wrong thing. I know that God gave me wisdom.
Psalm 18:35
You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.
You gave a wide place for my steps under me
and my feet did not slip.
Sharing this experience was the hardest thing I have ever done, it was also the greatest gift to witness their faith and their ability to acknowledge God's sovereignty.
I prayed words that were not mine but a gift from God. I cried from the depths of my soul for the change of hopes and dreams for this family, for their witness to the hospital staff, for their love for each other. There are many things I experienced that are too personal to share, too close to my heart.
I held the father as he shared with me and I with him about God's faithfulness. I marveled that the world could go on, that people don't stop, they don't know what just happened. I was reminded that I need to slow down and offer people grace because I have no idea what trials they are facing.
The dad said to me that he knows his daughter is in Jesus' arms and for that he rejoices, but he longs to hold his baby girl in his arms and teach her about Jesus.

2 comments:

Stacy said...

That was an achingly beautiful post, Carolynn.

And you have a beautiful heart. Bless that faithful, precious COUPLE!!!! Wow. What a wonderful, glorious testimony to live out before others, and how deeply God was honored through them!

(((HUGS to you)))

Saying a prayer right now for their family and for you heart, too.

I love how you said at the end that it reminded you to "slow down and offer people grace because you have no idea what trials they are facing."

amy said...

I am so glad that you were able to minister to this family in this way. What a life changing experience.
And so sad.